How to Choose the Best Concrete Contractor for Your Project
Perhaps you’re planning to install a backyard patio or an outside-your-house walkway. You will need to hire a concrete contractor for whatever type of outdoor renovation you intend to do.
There is a lot at stake when it comes to selecting the ideal concrete contractor for your outdoor living or outdoor kitchen project. You’ll want to be sure the concrete is done right before you spend any additional money to build on top of it. You may have heard the old saying, “if the foundation is bad, nothing you build on it will last.” It is important to have complete confidence that the contractor you choose is affordable and, more importantly, nothing short of exceptional.
So, what qualities should you look for in a contractor? How do you know that the contractor you hire for this outdoor renovation will do a great job?
We will share eight tips for hiring a good concrete contractor with the know-how and skill to do the job right the first time while also being gentle with your pocketbook.
3Rs Construction & Remodeling is your professional and trusted concrete contractor in Salem, Oregon! Our team provides general contracting services for all your concrete needs.
Let’s look at a concrete contractor checklist that will empower you to make the correct decision for your outdoor renovation or outdoor kitchen project. The right contractor will promptly complete the job, provide quality work, and communicate transparently.
Here are eight tips for finding the right contractor to suit your personal needs.
Tip #1 — Conduct a Background Check
Before starting your renovation project, compiling a list of contractors in your area is a good idea. Scour the online directories for concrete contractors that serve your town or city.
Then come up with criteria that will help to ensure your general contractor is experienced and affordable.
You might contact friends, family, or work colleagues who might have used a concrete contractor that did a competent job on their outdoor project. As you research area contractors, look for customer reviews that speak to important elements like quality, promptness, reliability, and thoroughness.
Tip #2 — Consider Experience
Whether for paving, building a foundation, or pouring a sidewalk, you want to hire a concrete contractor with extensive experience. A company that has been around for many years will know the nuances of concrete work – how to avoid pitfalls and help you get the most value for your hard-earned dollars.
An experienced contractor will have honed their craft, learned how to be efficient on your renovation project, and will have the process of securing the best materials down to a science. That means you’ll be assured of exceptional workmanship.
Tip #3 — Verify Insurance
Even the most capable concrete contractors can make mistakes. Accidents could happen. Someone could even be injured or worse when you’re working with a heavy material like concrete.
You don’t want to be liable if something goes wrong. This is why you want to make sure that your contractor is fully insured. Their insurance should be sufficient to protect your home and project in case of an accident.
You’ll want to ask for proof of insurance. Any professional general contractor must have insurance and should not hesitate to give you evidence of their insurance. You can also look this information up on the CCB website. To have a valid Contractor License in Oregon they must be covered by a bond and insurance. All of that information including verification is available on the website. https://search.ccb.state.or.us/search/
Looking to hire the best concrete contractor in Salem, Oregon? Contact 3Rs Construction & Remodeling to get started on your project today!
Tip #4 — Get a Bid in Writing
You should not trust a concrete contractor who doesn’t provide you with a written estimate of an outdoor renovation project.
In the written estimate, you’ll want to ensure that they quote materials and other labor costs. In Oregon, a written bid or proposal is a requirement with hefty fines for those who try to bypass this law.
Also to be included are the appropriate permits or other fees. Collect all this written information before you sign a contract. One benefit of soliciting a bid in writing is that it will help ensure the project stays within an agreed-upon budget and meets deadlines.
Tip #5 — Look into Licensing
Licensing is always required for concrete work – or any home improvement contractor project. It is in your best interest to look into licensing when you hire a company to work on your home or property. This is especially true when heavy machinery is involved or it is potentially dangerous work.
Tip #6 — Review Their Portfolio
As you begin to evaluate concrete contractors, make sure you view their portfolio showing photographs of previous jobs. These should include decks, patios, walkways, driveway paving, foundations, retaining walls, and concrete floors. A portfolio gives you a visual representation of their work, and it helps you envision what your final project might look like.
In this digital age, most contractors use their website and social media as a portfolio.
3Rs Pro Tip: Not all of the photos displayed on websites or social media are taken from jobs actually done by that contractor. Many of them are intended to inspire ideas and possibilities. It is not offensive to ask which photos are of their own work.
Looking for a Salem concrete contractor to fix a patio, pour a new sidewalk, or help with outdoor renovations? Contact 3Rs Construction & Remodeling today for a FREE quote!
Tip #7 — Evaluate Customer Service
A lot hinges on customer service when it comes to a successful or unsuccessful renovation project. With so many details and facets to a concrete job, there needs to be transparent communication, so you’re kept up to date on changes as they happen.
Here are some important questions to keep in mind for a contractor as it pertains to customer service:
- Are they friendly?
- Do they return calls or emails promptly?
- Do they thoroughly explain the details of the job?
- Are they punctual?
- Are they detail oriented?
- Does their personality match well with yours?
These characteristics are crucial when it comes to determining whether a concrete contractor provides good customer service.
TIP 8 – Choose What is Important to You
There are three priorities that must be considered when hiring any contractor.
Price – What is this going to cost from start to finish?
Speed – How Long will this project take once it gets started?
Quality – How well will this work be done?
The bad news is you can only have two of them. Cheap and Fast = Poor Quality, Cheap and Quality = This job may take forever. Fast and Quality = You're going to pay more. Once you decide which two are the most important to you, making a decision on who to hire will get much easier.
4 Benefits of Hiring a Local Concrete Contractor
Hiring a local professional for your concrete project gives you some big advantages that could positively impact the cost and quality of the job. Here are four of them.
1) Understands Local Codes & Regulations
A professional contractor company will possess local knowledge that will help to ensure the outdoor renovation is done correctly. Hiring a general contractor in the Salem area will give you the peace of mind that they will be well-versed in the region’s construction regulations and building codes.
A local contractor can make it easier for projects to be approved and completed with fewer, if any, glitches. Conversely, a contractor from outside your area may not be familiar with specific regulations where you live.
2) Faster Turnaround Time & Response
Another advantage of choosing a local concrete contractor is a much greater likelihood of receiving a quick response time. When difficulties or problems arise, it’s easy and convenient to contact your local project manager to resolve the matter.
3) Superior Follow-Up
You’ll enjoy the advantage of greater accountability when you opt for a local concrete contractor. If there are any issues after your project is completed, a local contractor will be much easier to contact and follow up with any repairs that might be necessary.
4) Knows About Weather Issues
A local contractor will understand the climate in your area, especially in the Salem, Oregon, area, and how that might affect the renovation project. With a company that is based far away, you could run into weather-related mishaps that may lead to cost overruns or delays in completing your project.
Choosing a local Salem contractor also means that they understand the intricacies of your area’s weather. This allows them to include a built-in cushion for your outdoor renovation timeline that addresses the potential for poor weather.
Hire 3Rs Construction & Remodeling for Your Next Outdoor Concrete Project in Salem, Oregon
3Rs Construction & Remodeling offers a professional, skilled team to design, build, and remodel your outdoor living spaces. When you choose 3Rs as your concrete contractor, we’ll be ready to install your new deck, patio, driveway, sidewalk, or fence so that you can enjoy the great outdoors.
There are many types and styles to choose from, and 3Rs Construction is here to help.